Durio grandiflorus Variety Introduction: Characteristics, Distribution Areas, and Cultivation Feasibility

Of all the durian species in Borneo, I am most excited about Durio grandiflorus, which locals call the ghost durian. I don't believe it will be difficult to find, as it apparently grows throughout Borneo. I am more concerned with finding the rare Durio testudinarum and Durio dulcis. But this is the most elusive of durians. Although we searched Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan, Durio grandiflorus eluded us. Even my botanical contacts had no pictures. Truly the ghost durian.

Durio grandiflorus is a medium-sized durian with long, stiff spines. It is said that its gray-blue exterior adds to the ghost myth. Although a botanist I interviewed could barely remember it, the flesh is yellow and reportedly edible. He said the flavor is not strong and the flesh is very thin. He kept comparing it to Durio grandiflorus, which he apparently liked very much.

Although unrelated to the taste pleasures of the fruit, one interesting thing about Durio grandiflorus is its relationship with spiderhunters. Unlike most durians that are pollinated by bats at night, this durian relies on these energetic little birds to reproduce.

Distribution and season:Although we did not find it, Durio grandiflorus occurs throughout the island of Borneo, especially near Sandakan and Miri. It can occasionally be found in markets in Brunei. Cultivating Durio grandiflorus: this durian is not cultivated or used as a rootstock, so very little is known about it. It is a medium-sized tree about 30 m tall. It grows up to 500 m in elevation.